Tag: Jorbit Vivas

Yankees MILB 6/27: Jorbit Vivas’ Hot Streak Continues

News:

None.

Scranton (44-33) (Split a doubleheader against Worcester)

Game 1 (Lost, 8-3)

3B Oswald Peraza: 0-for-3, RS, HBP
DH Jorbit Vivas: 3-for-4, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (4)
Vivas’ third straight multi-hit effort.
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-3, SB (1), BB
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, 2 K
LF Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, RBI
SS Jeter Downs: 0-for-2, BB, K
CF Taylor Trammell: 0-for-3, 2 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-3, K
2B Josh VanMeter: 1-for-2, BB

LHP Tanner Tully: (L, 1-6)  4 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
RHP Art Warren: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Aaron Boone said that Effross is still a while away. That can mean anything, but I wouldn’t expect him to be down here for too long. 
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Won, 6-5)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-3, RS, SB (25), HBP
25 stolen bases in 49 games (last season, he stole 40 bases in 92 games).
2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-2, 2 RS, HBP, CI
Vivas is rolling. He is on a 5-game hitting streak (9-for-20, 2 HR, 6 R) and is 13-for-33 (.394, 8 BB) in his last 9 games. If he keeps this up, he can be in the second half MLB conversation. 
3B Oswald Peraza: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 RS, SB (8)
Any hot streak for Peraza would be a welcome sight.
DH Agustin Ramirez: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, SB (2), BB
Ramirez needed these hits in the worst way. He is 3-for-27 since his promotion. As for stealing two bases today? He is now 15-for-16 in that department between here and Somerset.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, K
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 K
Last 3 games: 8-for-13, double, 2 home runs, 6 RBI.
LF Jose Rojas: 1-for-3, HR (16), RBI, RS
Rojas ties Agustin Ramirez for the organizational HR lead.
RF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-1, 2 BB
SS Kevin Smith: 1-for-3

RHP Cody Morris: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K
Scranton went with a bullpen game in Game 2.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Chasen Shreve: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jack Neely: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Since promotion: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K. He is a 24-year-old reliever. Anyone who knows me knows this: I am aggressive with relievers. I can’t tell you he is ready. However, how much time does he realistically need?
RHP Ron Marinaccio (S, 4): 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (35-36) (Defeated Richmond, 6-2)

DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-5, 2B (9), 2 K
2B Ben Cowles: 2-for-4, RBI, BB, K
Cowles has an 8-game hitting streak as he gets his batting average back over .300 (.301/.381/.482). The results are encouraging and he might be trade bait. He could be in the infield mix in 2025 if he isn’t.
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RS, BB, K
Flores’ first Double-A extra-base hit (he has 18 doubles in 59 games overall)
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B J.C. Escarra: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-3, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (8), BB, K
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, 2B (11), BB, K
Wegner has 7 doubles in his last 9 games. 
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-1, RBI, RS, BB
   SS Max Burt: 0-for-2, K

RHP Zach Messinger: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
3.60 ERA (80 IP, 64 H, 45 R, 32 ER, 6 HR, 25 BB, 90 K). I like to look at how young pitchers bounce back from a tough start (4.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R last time out). I would say Messinger bounced back nicely. As of this writing, his 90 strikeouts are tied for the Eastern League lead.
RHP McKinley Moore (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Colby White: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Joey Gerber: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Gerber was activated from his rehab stint and placed here.

Hudson Valley (36-34) (Lost to Wilmington, 7-5. They put up five runs in the 8th to make it close, but couldn’t get any closer)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-5, 2B (12), RBI
Riggio has doubled in three straight games and has an extra-base hit in four straight contests (he homered in the 4th game).
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-4, RS, HBP, K
RF Jace Avina: 3-for-4, RBI, RS
His 6-game hitting streak has raised his triple slash from .267/.346/.437 to .285/.365/.465.
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, RS, BB
1B Josh Moylan: 3-for-4, 2B (6), 2 RBI, K
Moylan has three multi-hit games during his 6-game hitting streak. He has raised his triple slash from .220/.357/.277 to .249/.373/.343 during the streak.
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB
LF Christopher Familia: 1-for-3, 2B (1), BB
   PR-LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-0
3B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RS, 2 K
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-4, K

LHP Kyle Carr: (L, 0-4) 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
Carr left his last start early due to a batted ball off his ankle. I’m glad to see it wasn’t anything serious. He has tossed 17 innings in June, allowing 7 runs on 13 hits with a 17/8 K/BB. It’s progress.
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.57 ERA (42 IP, 32 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 15 BB, 51 K, 2 HR)
RHP Matt Keating: 1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 3 HR
Everyone has a bad day. For a reliever, it can skew their results. This spikes his ERA to 4.43 in 42.2 IP (33 H, 23 R, 21 ER, 7 HR, 17 BB, 52 K)
LHP Joel Valdez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Tampa (26-45) (Lost to Fort Myers, 6-2)

DH George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, K
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 2-for-4, 2B (7), SB (19), K
.310/.356/.379 in 161 PA (19-for-23 SB). In the FCL last year, he hit .307/.465/.458. The 19-year-old is showing he can hit. I don’t know if there will be power to tap into, but a contact guy with speed who can play multiple positions has value.
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3, RS, BB
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, 2B (4), RBI
Montero has a 6-game hitting streak.
RF Willy Montero: 1-for-3, HBP
.250/.305/.365 in 266 PA. He has 30 hits in June (30-for-78, 6 doubles, 4 HR).
LF Daury Arias: 0-for-4, K
C Oscar Silverio: 1-for-4, RBI, 3 K
The 22-year-old doesn’t play much. It’s nice to see him contribute an RBI single.

RHP Luis Serna: (L, 2-4)  4 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
A tough night for Serna, but toss it. The 19-year-old owns a 4.34 ERA in 56 IP (41 H, 28 R, 27 ER, 3 HR, 17 BB, 64 K)
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
2.02 ERA (35.2 IP, 16 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 5 HR, 18 BB, 42 K). The .147 BABIP is absurd but don’t let that distract you. He is pitching very well.
RHP Aaron Nixon: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

FCL (24-13) (Lead the Phillies, 4-0, in the 4th inning. This game was suspended due to rain. They will try to finish it up tomorrow, which is when I will type up a report)

I will note that Abrahan Ramirez has a double (9) and 2 RBI. Low-A Tampa is loaded with infielders. However, Ramirez is forcing his way into a promotion conversation.

DSL Yankees (7-11) (Defeated the DSL Mets Blue, 2-0, in a 7-inning game)

SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-3, RS, K
3B Richard Matic: 1-for-3
Matic, one of the bonus babies from the international signing class, is hitting .265/.379/.327 in 15 games.
DH Gabriel Lara: 0-for-2, RS, 2 SB (5), CS (3), BB
The only way Lara will learn how to steal bases is by repetition. He should run as often as possible.

RHP Michell Chirinos: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K
12.2 IP, 11 H, 10 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 19 K
LHP Ronald Tejada (W, 2-0): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
12 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 10 K. The 17-year-old is doing well in his debut season.
RHP Jesus Mejia (S, 2): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K. This is the 18-year-old’s debut season.

DSL Bombers (11-6) (Defeated the DSL Mets Orange, 6-2. Who needs to beat the Mets in MLB games when you can take care of business in the DSL?)

SS Christofer Reyes: 4-for-4, 2 2B (2), 3 RS, 2 SB (9), CS (4), BB
This is impressive at any level. Only 16, he is hitting .273/.407/.318 in 54 PA. The two doubles today were his first career extra-base hits.
2B Luis Escudero: 3-for-3, 2B (2), RS, SB (10), BB
Escudero has four multi-hit efforts in his last seven games.
CF Browm Martinez: 1-for-3, SB (10), CS (2), BB, K
.297/.364/.324 in 44 PA.
DH David Carrera: 1-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
Only 17, Carrera is hitting .294/.444/.471. I don’t take numbers down here seriously, but the only way off the island is by playing well.

RHP Carlos Almonte: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Richard Jimenez: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R,0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Chaury Gomez (W,1-0): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
The 17-year-old’s first professional win. Congrats!
RHP Anthony Mena: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Jose Ledesma: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Ledesma is old for the level (21), but this is his debut season. 

 

Yankees MILB 6/22: Jesus Rodriguez Hits First Double-A Homer

News:

RHP Cam Schlittler was promoted to Scranton from Hudson Valley. This is likely a move for need rather than a permanent placement. Typically speaking, a prospect isn’t going to skip over Double-A.

Schlittler has put together a solid season, pitching to a 2.32 ERA (3.97 FIP) over 54.1 innings with a 56.4% GB, 31.7% K, and 12.5% BB. It is a simplistic way to evaluate, but prospects who miss bats and keep the ball on the ground are gold.

LHP Chasen Shreve is back. The lefty was signed to a minor league deal today after opting out of his Rangers contract. Most of the time, players opt out because they have an MLB opportunity. For now, that isn’t the case with Shreve, but the Yankees bullpen is uncharacteristically in chaos mode. From 2015-2018, Shreve compiled a 3.92 ERA (4.99 FIP) over 174.2 innings for the Yankees. He was traded to the Cardinals (along with Giovanny Gallegos) for Luke Voit. While Gallegos has become a mainstay in the Cardinals’ pen, Shreve has bounced around.

DH Giancarlo Stanton left tonight’s game, potentially opening up a roster spot for many potential options. The first instinct for prospect lovers is Agustin Ramirez if the Yankees want to be aggressive. Alternatively, they could promote T.J. Rumfield and have Ben Rice take more DH at-bats (Rumfield has a better reputation at first base). Veterans like Oscar Gonzalez, Jose Rojas, and Taylor Trammell could be in the conversation. Oswald Peraza? He wouldn’t be a perfect fit for this role but he is conveniently on the 40-man roster.

Outside the organization, washed-up veterans Garrett Cooper and Jose Abreu are available. Abreu has a 3 OPS+ in 2024. That isn’t a typo. Cooper, a former Yankee, hit .206/.267/.299 for the Cubs and Red Sox this season. That’s good for a 59 OPS+. In other words, no. Just no. No. No. No. No. No.

Scranton (41-30) (They are supposed to play two against Buffalo)

Game 1 (Losing, 21-10, in the bottom of the 9th. This game is in a rain delay. I doubt Game 2 is played. If it is, I will update this whenever it finishes)

2B Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-1, K
  2B-3B Josh VanMeter: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, RS, BB
DH-2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-5, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Vivas has two home runs in his last four games.
3B-SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-5, 3 K
1B Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-2, 2 K
Ramirez is 1-for-11 since his promotion.
  1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-2
Runfield is hitting .295 with a .800 OPS for Scranton.
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-2, 2 RS, HBP, BB
Narvaez is another potential option, but he is best off catching down here.
LF Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, 3B (1), HR (15), 2 RBI, 2 RS
As I have stated before: Rojas rarely has issues with minor-league pitching. Major League pitching is a different story.
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-4, 2 RS
CF Taylor Trammell: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, RS, BB
SS-P Kevin Smith: 1-for-3, 2B (8), RBI, BB, 2 K

LHP Edgar Barclay: (L, 3-6)  2.2 IP, 12 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 3 HR
And you thought you had a bad day…
RHP Matt Sauer: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Art Warren: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Cody Morris: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Kevin Smith: 2.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (32-35) (Lead Erie, 1-0, in the second inning. This game was suspended due to rain and they will try to finish it up tomorrow)

DH Spencer Jones: 0-for-1
C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-1, HR (1), RBI, RS
Once this game goes official, this will be Rodriguez’s first Double-A home run. Between 2023-2024, he hit 8 home runs in 81 games for Hudson Valley (High-A).
3B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-1, K
2B Ben Cowles: 0-for-1, K
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-0
RF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-0
1B J.C. Escarra: 0-for-0
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-0
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-0

RHP Bailey Dees: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
This will be a wasted start, but that isn’t a big deal. Season: 3.80 ERA (68.2 IP, 60 H, 33 R, 29 ER, 9 HR, 24 BB, 74 K). 

Hudson Valley (33-34) (Lost to Greensboro, 2-1, in 11 innings)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-1, HBP, BB, K
Riggio wasn’t pulled from the game immediately after the HBP but one’s first instinct is that it is related.
   PH-2B Beau Brewer: 0-for-1
After Riggio was pulled, they didn’t turn to Jared Serna. That tells me they were committed to giving him a full night off. 
CF Jace Avina: 1-for-4, BB, K
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-5, 3 K
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, HR (7), RBI, RS, BB
.238/.377/.403 in 223 PA. His personal best for home runs is 18, set in 2023.
PR-DH Nelson Medina: 0-for-0
RF Christopher Familia: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-5, 4 K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 2 K
3B Kiko Romero: 0-for-4, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, 2B (4), CS (1), 2 K

LHP Ben Shields: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Shields sets a new personal best for strikeouts in a game. Season (for Hudson Valley – I am ignoring that emergency start he made for Scranton): 3.06 ERA (47 IP, 34 H, 19 R, 16 ER, 5 HR, 10 BB, 62 K). While he is 25, this is his debut season. I expect him to be a Somerset option when mass promotions begin.
RHP Matt Keating: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.46 ERA (41.2 IP, 28 H, 18 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 17 BB, 50 K). Keating has 145 strikeouts in 108 career innings.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Between here and the FCL: 12.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 21 K. For Hudson Valley: 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 12 K>
RHP Mason Vinyard (L, 2-1): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
2.18 ERA (20.2 IP, 14 H, 11 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 32 K)

Tampa (24-42) (Lead Palm Beach, 2-0, in the bottom of the 4th. The game was suspended again due to rain. They will attempt to finish it tomorrow, followed by the regularly scheduled game. Tonight’s regularly scheduled game is postponed. I do not see a make-up date listed. The squads do not play each other again this season, so the game may forever go away)

DH Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-2
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, K
2B Roderick Arias: 0-for-1, SB (18), BB
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-2
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-2, RS
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-1, RS, BB
RF Willy Montero: 2-for-2
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, SB (14)
C Oscar Silverio:  0-for-0, BB

RHP Luis Serna: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
The weather cuts Serna’s start for the second consecutive time. While the stats aren’t official until the game concludes, this effort will lower his ERA below 4.00 (3.98 in 52 IP (37 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 61 K)). His ERA was 10.32 in his first three starts and 6.97 after five starts. He has been on quite a roll and is still under 20 (until July 20th).

FCL (23-13) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 7-5, in nine (extra) innings. Read below for a most unusual fact from this game)

CF Brando Mayea: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 3 K
C Edgleen Perez: 2-for-3, RS, BB, K
.280/.473/.398 in 129 PA with 20 runs batted in (he has 32 walks (24.8%) and 22 strikeouts)
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
2B Gabriel Terrero: 0-for-3, RS, SB (9), BB
RF Joel Mendez: 0-for-3, RS, BB, K
DH Diomedes Hernandez: 0-for-1, BB
   PR-DH-P Santiago Gomez: 1-for-2, HR (1, grand slam), 4 RBI, 2 RS, SB (9), CS (4), K
His grand slam in the top of the 9th was part of a 6-run inning that the Blue Jays couldn’t overcome. However, this wasn’t the end of Gomez’s day (keep scrolling down!)

RHP Carlos Lagrange: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
Lagrange’s 2024 debut. He has some “buzz” surrounding him (not as much as Henry Lalane, but that isn’t a knock). The 21-year-old pitched to a 4.97 ERA and 63/24 K/BB over 41.2 innings in 2023. He is 6’7″.
RHP Andrew Landry: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
The professional debut for last year’s 16th-round pick out of Southeastern Louisiana.
RHP Chris Kean: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.88 ERA (14.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 17 K). Tampa is calling…
RHP Santiago Gomez (S, 1): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The player who hit the big grand slam in the 9th was needed to save the game. Can you do that, Shohei Ohtani?

DSL Yankees (5-10) (Defeated the DSL Angels, 3-2)

3B Richard Matic: 1-for-3, 2B (3), RS, K
DH Luis Puello: 2-for-3, RBI, K
The 18-year-old is 12-for-25 (..480) with a pair of homers and 11 RBI.
RF Estivenzon Montero: 3-for-3, 2B (1), 2 RBI, SB (2)
Montero’s first career multi-hit game (6th game)

RHP Jorge Luna: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K
1.98 ERA (13.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 17 K)
LHP Ronald Tejada (W, 1-0): 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
The 17-year-old’s first career win.

DSL Bombers (9-5) (Defeated the DSL Giants Orange, 5-4)

C Queni Pineda: 0-for-1, 3 RS, SB (4), 3 BB
Pineda is 8-for-28 with 2 doubles, a homer, 13 runs scored, 12 walks, and 5 strikeouts.
LF Browm Martinez: 1-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, K
3B Kevin Verde: 1-for-2, 2 SF, 2 RBI

RHP Jerson Alejandro: 3 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K
The 6’6″ Alejandro has a 14/11 K/BB in 9 innings.
RHP Carlos Almonte: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
Standing 6’5″, this is the 20-year-old’s professional debut.

 

Yankees MILB 6/20: Spencer Jones: 2 Hits, RBI, SB, BB

News:

OF Jasson Dominguez will miss at least eight weeks due to an oblique injury. That pushes his return to mid-August, where he will undoubtedly be rusty. He can still be one of the September call-ups, but we must be realistic about 2024 expectations. He hasn’t played much and the Yankees will likely be cautious. As I said last night, it isn’t quite a lost season but it isn’t a productive one for his development either.

Scranton (41-29) (Lost to Buffalo, 9-4)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-4, SB (22), RS, BB, K
With Dominguez and Everson Pereira out, the #5 outfield slot is there for the taking. Known for his speed and defense, he is hitting .274/.404/.363 in 151 PA with 22 stolen bases in 24 attempts. 
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-1, RS, 4 BB
With Scranton, Vivas has 19 walks in 21 games (98 PA; 19.4%)
SS Oswald Peraza: 2-for-4, RBI, HBP
Many hitters never figure out how to hit in MLB. We don’t know if that will be true for Peraza. However, I am shocked at how badly he is slumping in Scranton. Unless something is bothering him, he should be crushing this level. He is at .176/.317/.216.
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-4, HBP, K
Ramirez is off to a 1-for-9 start in Scranton. It was fun while it lasted…
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-4
DH Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-4, 2B (14), K
Narvaez continues to show off his pop (14 doubles, 7 HR in 57 games; .431 SLG). 
RF Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, HR (14), RBI, RS, K
Rojas has 14 homers in 52 games. Impressive, but the 31-year-old owns a .188/.245/.339 triple slash in 83 MLB games (2021-2022). He spent 2023 in Korea (.253/.345/.474 with 19 homers)
3B Jeter Downs: 1-for-4, 2 K
Downs has a 5-game hitting streak and is 14-for-35 (.400) in June with a 7-for-8 SB rate. 
LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, RS, BB, K
Trammell has homered in two of his last three games.

LHP Tanner Tully: (L, 1-5) 4 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 4 HR
RHP Jake Cousins: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Cody Morris: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Josh VanMeter: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Kevin Smith: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
VanMeter and Smith are veteran utility players who received an inning on the hill tonight.

Somerset (32-34) (Lost to Erie, 9-7. Everyone in the lineup collected at least one hit)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-5, RBI, SB (17), BB, 3 K
June: 20-for-70 (.286; 3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 13 R, 5-for-6 SB). He entered June with a .641 OPS. It is now .704.
C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-6, RBI
Rodriguez earns his first Double-A hit. Congrats! Fans of the Patriots are getting a dose of his versatility: Third base in his Double-A debut, and catcher tonight. As for the multi-hit game, he has 22 in 58 games this season. Machine.
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, BB
3B Ben Cowles: 1-for-5, RS, SB (12), 2 K
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-5, RS, SB (8), 3 K
DH Elijah Dunham: 2-for-3, 2B (8), 2 RS, 2 BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 2-for-4, 2B (10), HR (7), 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Seigler is showing some pop and speed this year (10 doubles, 7 HR, 11-for-12 SB) but that doesn’t mean his prospect status is coming back (.198 with a .670 OPS). Anyway, the 7 HR ties his personal best, set in 2022.
RF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-5, 3B (2), RBI, RS, 2 K
Vargas is hitting .211 since his promotion. By most accounts, the glove is still MLB-quality – the bat just hasn’t developed. That sounds somewhat like Kyle Holder, but Vargas likely has more offense to tap into. That said, he has to prove it. In case you are wondering about Holder, he hasn’t played since 2022.

RHP Blane Abeyta: (L, 3-6)  5 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 3 HR
RHP Danny Watson: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but Watson is likely still in “get back into a groove” mode after a long-term injury.
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
For Somerset: 2.57 ERA (21 IP, 16 H, 11 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 20 K)
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (33-32) (Lost to Greensboro, 4-2)

LF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, K
SS Jared Serna: 0-for-4
Since being hit by a pitch and missing a game, Serna is 0-for-11. It could be a coincidence. I hope that it is.
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, 2 K
DH Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, RS, 2 K
.212/.305/.372. He has hit safely in six of his last seven games.
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-3, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, 2B (5), RS
.222/.357/.284 in 199 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 23 R, 15.6% BB, 23.1% K).  So far, the power hasn’t shown up (.313 SLG in 24 games in Tampa last year). 
2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, K
3B Beau Brewer: 1-for-3, RBI
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3, K

RHP Sebastian Keane: (L, 5-5) 5.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 2 HR
Keane allowed three runs in the first inning but worked it out. Season: 5.02 ERA (57.1 IP, 55 H, 33 R, 32 ER, 6 HR, 29 BB, 55 K)
RHP Mason Vinyard: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.29 ERA (19.2 IP, 13 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 31 K)
RHP Luis Arejula: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.46 ERA (26 IP, 23 H, 14 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 27 K)

Tampa (24-42) (Lost to Palm Beach, 5-2)

3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-4, RS, CS (4)
SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-4, 2B (10), RS, K
.228/.360/.321 in 225 PA (10 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 23 RBI, 23 R, 17-for-18 SB). He is on a 6-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games. Before this 10-game stretch, his triple slash was .207/.359/.269. His OBP has barely moved, but his SLG is up 52 points.
2B Roderick Arias: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (17), CS (8), K
.209/.301/.364 in 289 PA (9 doubles, 6 triples, 6 HR, 38 RBI, 35 R, 17-for-25 SB). He has eight extra-base hits and 19 RBI in June, which is good. However, the strikeouts remain prominent.
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, HBP, K
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-4
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4
RF Willy Montero: 1-for-2, BB
.241/.298/.366 in 245 PA (13 doubles, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 28 R, 8-for-9 SB). Entering June, his triple slash was .207/.288/.283.
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-2, 2B (9), BB
.270/.391/.400 in 138 PA. Frick is doing a nice job in his debut season.
LF Daury Arias: 1-for-3, K

RHP Bryce Warrecker: (L, 0-1) 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Warrecker’s Tampa debut (he appeared in a game earlier this season for Hudson Valley). He pitched well through 4 innings but ran into trouble in the 5th. The 22-year-old out of Cal Poly (drafted in the 20th round in 2023) is an interesting prospect. The Yankees are good at converting these pitchers into something valuable.
RHP Aaron Nixon: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K
3.96 ERA (38.2 IP, 26 H, 21 R, 17 ER, 1 HR, 29 BB, 39 K). He hit 95 MPH with his 4-seamer, which they should be able to work with. You don’t need me to tell you that control is an issue.
RHP Jordy Luciano: 2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Standing 5’10”, the 22-year-old Luciano packs a punch, maxing out at 96 MPH with his heater. His issue? Control. He has walked 30 batters in 33.1 innings this year and 76 in 82.1 innings in his career.

FCL (21-13) (Squeaked past the Phillies, 3-2)

CF Brando Mayea: 1-for-4, 2 K
Mayea is hitting .270/.356/.303 in 101 PA, which isn’t so bad. The K% is 27.7%, borderline but not in the “red alert” zone. Another metric I like to look at is Swinging Strike %. Entering today’s action, Mayea’s was at 22.9%, which will raise an eyebrow or two. Anyway, let’s see what happens as he gets more reps.
DH Edgleen Perez: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K
3B Abrahan Ramirez: 2-for-2, 3B (2), RS, BB
Is Ramirez going to become the latest obsession? He is hitting .396/.518/.582 in 115 PA and has seven multi-hit efforts in his last eight games. That’s not easily done at any level of baseball, folks.
LF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-3, 2B (12), RBI, RS
Sanchez has 17 extra-base hits (12 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR) in 27 games. Additionally, he has 20 RBI, 23 runs, and 10 stolen bases in 12 attempts.
SS Juan Matheus: 2-for-3, 2 RBI

RHP Hansel Rosario: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
LHP Michael Peres (W, 1-0): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Jesus Castellanos (S, 2): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

DSL Yankees (4-9) (Lost to the Rangers Blue, 7-1)

SS Dexters Peralta: 0-for-3, RS, SB (7), BB, K
CF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-3, CS (1), BB
When you have a speedster like Lara, you want him running all the time in minor league games as he attempts to turn raw speed into base-stealing ability.

RHP Varis Villarreal: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

DSL Bombers (7-5) (Defeated the FCL Tigers 1, 4-3)

C Queni Pineda: 0-for-3, RS, BB, K
The 17-year-old is 8-for-27 (9 walks, 5 strikeouts)
RF Browm Martinez: 1-for-3, K
CF David Carrera: 1-for-3, RBI, K
SS Kevin Verde: 1-for-3, 2B (4), RS
1B Jesus Marquez: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
The 17-year-old is listed as a catcher but has only played 1B/DH thus far (only five games).

RHP Alexis Paulino: 3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
Well, that is what you call dominance. He is 21 and in his third season down here.
RHP Ismael Delgadillo (S, 1): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
The 19-year-old earns a save in his first professional appearance.

Yankees MILB 6/18: Trystan Vrieling’s Masterful Performance

News:

RHP JT Brubaker and Scott Effross will begin their rehab stints in Tampa on Wednesday.

Effross hasn’t pitched since October 2, 2022. Acquired from the Cubs for Hayden Wesneski, he pitched to a 2.54 ERA (2.46 FIP) in 2022 with a 27.1% K and 44% GB. While he isn’t a traditional “blow it past you” reliever, he does miss bats.

Brubaker is a starter acquired from the Pirates over the winter for infield prospect Keiner Delgado. Brubaker hasn’t dazzled in his MLB career (4.99 ERA/4.43 FIP), but he does feature slightly above-average GB (44.1%) and strikeout (23.3%) rates. We’ll see if the Yankees try to use him in a relief role or use him for starter depth. He is under team control through 2025.  As for Delgado, the 20-year-old is playing for Pittsburgh’s Low-A affiliate, hitting .242/.324/.411 in 139 PA. He is playing well in June (.268/.412/.561 with 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 homers).

As for today’s roster moves, Ben Rice earned his promotion to MLB. The Yankees will not open a roster spot for RHP Jack Neely unless it is a permanent move. Hence, I am OK with adding Anthony Misiewicz and Clayton Andrews. Both pitchers are easy to DFA once a 40-man roster slot is needed.

In Tampa, RHP Ryan Harvey and Kristofer Bow were placed on the injured list. Harvey is a starter while Bow’s turbo-sinker has been used out of the bullpen. The Tampa transactions page doesn’t yet list replacements.

As I mentioned on Twitter, the Yankees don’t have great outfield depth in the minors. If Aaron Judge requires IL time, you are looking at players like Taylor Trammell, Oscar Gonzalez, Brandon Lockridge, and Jose Rojas. Trammell has a “prospect pedigree” while Gonzalez was successful in Cleveland in 2022 (.296/.327/.461 in 91 games). Lockridge is a speed/defense guy while Rojas is a veteran without much MLB success.

In other words, hopefully, Judge is OK.

Scranton (40-28) (Outslugged Buffalo,11-10)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-4, RBI, BB, K
2B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, SB (3), BB, K
Vivas, who reached double digits in HR between 2021-2023, hits his first homer as a member of the Yankees’ organization (27th game)
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-5, RS, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, RS, BB
Rumfield’s 7-game hitting streak is snapped.
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
Narvaez is hitting .251 with a .804 OPS. His personal best for HR is 12, set last year.
DH Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, HR (13), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
Rojas has always been an offensive force in the minors, reaching 31 homers and 107 RBI in 2019 (yes, it was the PCL). However, MLB hasn’t been kind to him.
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-4, 2B (7), 2 RS
LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, RS, K
3B Jeter Downs: 1-for-1, 2B (10), RBI, 2 RS, 3 SB (12), CS (4), 3 BB
A nice night (understatement) for Downs, who has performed well this season. That does not mean his prospect status is back, but perhaps he can still grind out an MLB career.

LHP Josh Maciejewski: 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Art Warren: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Phil Bickford: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.93 ERA (27.2 IP, 23 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 35 K)
RHP Matt Sauer: (S, 1) 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HR

Somerset (32-32) (Knocked off Erie, 6-1)

CF Spencer Jones: 3-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, RS, K
This jumps his OPS to .712 as he compiles his 4th 3-hit game this season. Next up is a march towards .800!  Jones is 18-for-61 (.295/.362/.525) in June.
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-4, 2B (14), 2 RBI, K
Ramirez has four doubles in his last six games. He is hitting .339/.359/.613 (5 doubles, 4 HR, 14 RBI) in June.
3B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS, K
Hardman has homered in back-to-back games and has 28 homers in 85 Double-A contests.
  3B Max Burt: 0-for-0
SS Ben Cowles: 0-for-4, 3 K
Cowles went 2-for-8 in his first two games this season. That was the last time he was under .300 until tonight (.295).
1B J.C. Escarra: 0-for-3, RS, BB
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, 2 RS, SB (7), K
.260/.326/.410 in 193 PA. Richardson has struggled in June, but he has hit safely in six of his last seven games.
DH Jared Wegner: 2-for-4, 2 2B (7), 2 RBI, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-4, RS

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (W, 7-4)  7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
4.58 ERA (74.2 IP, 70 H, 40 R, 38 ER, 6 HR, 22 BB, 72 K). This is an impressive Double-A showing for a kid in his debut season. I don’t remember the last time the Yankees started a pitching prospect’s career in Double-A. 
RHP Colby White: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

Hudson Valley (33-30) (Lost to Greensboro, 2-0)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Jared Serna: 0-for-4, K
Thankfully, Serna missed only one game after the HBP.
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-4, 2B (17), K
After a bit of a slump, Avina has hit safely in six of his last seven games (8-for-31).
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
.302/.415/.506 in 207 PA. 
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Christopher Familia: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, CI, 3 K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 2 K
LF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-3, 2B (9), BB

RHP Jackson Fristoe: (L, 1-3)  5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
3.58 ERA (37.2 IP, 27 H, 17 R, 15 ER, 2 HR, 27 BB, 40 K). This is the second time in his last three starts where he has limited walks (0 BB in 6 IP on 6/4). As I like to say, it is something to build on.
RHP Huey Morrill: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.63 ERA (37.2 IP, 29 H, 15 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 44 K). Expect a lot of movement among the relief prospects when the Yankees start promoting guys.

Tampa (23-41) (Lost to Palm Beach, 4-0)

3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 2-for-4, K
For Tampa: .328/.379/.395 in 133 PA. This comes with a .422 BABIP, so things will likely “normalize”. Remember that he is only 19 and performing well in a full-season league. 
2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, HBP, K
.222/.359/.295 in 217 PA. He owns a 23.96% K rate, which isn’t great but won’t scare off evaluators, given it is his first full professional season. 
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, 2 K
Arias’ “hot streaks” are attributed to his athleticism. The raw skill is so high that he can live off that in the lower minors. Heck, Estevan Florial has lived off that throughout his minor-league career. He is still young and has time on his side. However, improving your ability to make contact is one of the hardest things for a hitter to learn.
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4
DH Hans Montero: 0-for-3, 2 K
LF Willy Montero: 0-for-2, HBP, K
Montero’s 12-game hitting streak is snapped.
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3
RF Daury Arias: 1-for-3, K

RHP Cade Austin: (L, 1-3) 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Austin’s first professional start (he started only 3 games in college). This was an emergency start.
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.72 ERA (31.1 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 HR, 16 BB, 35 K).  Rodriguez hit 96.8 MPH with his 4-seam fastball tonight and generated whiffs with his 4-seamer, sinker, changeup, and cutter.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Gabonia maxed out at 95.3 MPH with his sinker. I look for things that the Yankees can build on. Season: 4.64 ERA (33 IP, 38 H, 20 R, 17 ER, 3 HR, 8 BB, 39 K). His BABIP is .368.
RHP Montana Semmel: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

FCL (20-13) (Won two games over the Phillies)

Game 1 was the conclusion of a game from 6/11. They won, 10-4

CF Brando Mayea: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, K
C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
DH Engelth Urena: 2-for-5, 2B (2), RBI, RS, K
3B Abrahan Ramirez: 2-for-5, 2B (5), RBI, 2 RS, K
LF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
SS Juan Matheus: 2-for-4, 2 2B (4), 2 RBI, RS
2B Gabriel Terrero: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 RS
RF Joel Mendez: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, RS, 3 K

RHP Sabier Marte (W, 4-0): 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
You don’t see FCL pitchers throw this many innings often (his previous best was five).

Game 2 (Won, 7-6)

CF Brando Mayea: 2-for-4, CS (2), K
The power has yet to show up, but he is hitting .271/.361/.306 in 97 PA with 12 stolen bases in 13 attempts. He has eight multi-hit efforts in 21 games.
DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, 2 K
.271/.457/.400 in 116 PA. He has 20 RBI in 27 games.
3B Abrahan Ramirez: 2-for-3, 2B (7), 2 RS, BB
The 19-year-old has six multi-hit efforts in his last seven games. He is hitting .382/.505/.551 in 112 PA, placing himself firmly on the list of potential promotions.
LF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-4, 2B (11), 2 RBI, RS
Sanchez, hitting .360/.457/.629, has 11 doubles in 26 games.
SS Juan Matheus: 3-for-3, 2B (6), RBI, RS
Matheus is hitting .303/.406/.461 in 106 PA. He is playing well enough to think about a promotion, but Low-A Tampa is loaded with infield prospects.
2B Gabriel Terrero: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, K

RHP Chris Kean: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
With a couple of injuries announced for Low-A Tampa, Kean is a solid candidate to earn a promotion there.

DSL Yankees (4-8) (Defeated the Rockies, 6-3)

DH Dexters Peralta: 1-for-4, 2 K
3B Richard Matic: 1-for-4, RBI
Matic is 10-for-31 (.323) with a pair of doubles and 4 RBI.
2B Edgar Jimenez: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, RS, K
Jimenez (17) is only 2-for-15 but the two hits are a double and a homer. He hit the home run in his second career game.
RF Dilan Medina: 2-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, 2 RS
The 18-year-old is 5-for-14 with a double in his debut season.
1B Johan Contreras: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, RS

RHP Keninson Diaz (W, 2-0): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Jesus Mejia (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
In his first professional game, the 18-year-old records a save. Congrats!

DSL Bombers (6-4) (Defeated Mets Blue, 5-3)

C Queni Pineda: 2-for-3, SB (3), CS (2), K
Pineda (17) is 8-for-24 (.333) with a pair of doubles and a home run.
2B Luis Escudero: 2-for-3, 2B (1)
LF David Carrera: 1-for-3, 2B (4), RS, K
The 17-year-old is 6-for-21 with four doubles and a triple.
3B Kevin Verde: 0-for-2, RS, SB (5), BB
RF Angel Ventura: 2-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 SB (6)
The 18-year-old has 6 stolen bases in 6 games.

RHP Joshawn Lampson (W, 2-1): 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
LHP Jose Ledesma (S, 1): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Ledesma is 20, but this is his debut season.

Yankees MILB 6/13: Brock Selvidge Ks 9

News:

OF Everson Pereira was placed on the full-season injured list by Scranton. As you might be able to guess, that means he is done for the year.

Pereira will end the season at .265/.346/.512 (118 wRC+) in 182 PA for Scranton. He swatted 10 home runs and drove in 27. However, his strikeout rate was up (32.4%).

Injuries are a part of his story, but he accumulated 448 plate appearances in 2022 and 446 in 2023.

Pereira likely had trade value. That is no longer the case. With Jasson Dominguez‘s rehab stint over, Pereira’s value as big-league depth was lower, but you never want to lose depth.

Hopefully, Pereira can get back on the field in 2025.

Scranton (40-26) (Lost to Rochester, 5-4)

3B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-4, RBI, SB (1), CS (4), BB
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-5, 2 K
C Ben Rice: 0-for-5, 2 K
So much for the Ben Rice Experiment…seriously, this is the first time he hasn’t reached base in eight Triple-A games.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-3, RS, BB
For Scranton: .305/.362/.458 in 196 PA. He is on a 5-game hitting streak (multiple hits in all games: 12-for-23).
DH Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
Narvaez has a .376 OBP (16.2% BB)
RF Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, HR (12), 3 RBI, RS, K
Rojas has 12 homers and 42 RBI. A mostly unnoticed transaction last week was that he opted out of his contract, only to be re-signed. This likely means the Yankees offered him a little extra money to re-sign (and he couldn’t find an MLB opportunity)
LF Taylor Trammell: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
CF Greg Allen: 2-for-3, 2B (7), RS, HBP
2B Josh VanMeter: 0-for-4

RHP Will Warren: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
Warren was cruising along until a 3-run homer in the 6th. His ERA is still north of 7.00 (7.01) but has shown signs of breaking out of his slump (he owns a 2.81 ERA in 16 June innings).
RHP Matt Sauer: (L, 0-1) 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Clayton Andrews: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K

Somerset (29-30) (Bombarded Binghamton, 12-5)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-5, RBI, RS, SB (16), K
1B Agustin Ramirez: 2-for-5, 2B (12), 2 RBI, RS, SB (13)
Ramirez is hitting .289/.374/.569 in 243 PA (12 doubles, 1 triple, 15 HR, 46 RBI, 44 R, 13-for-14 SB). He is making his share of errors at first base, but that is the learning process. 
3B Ben Cowles: 0-for-3, 2 RS, SB (11), 2 BB, K
.314/.390/.498 in 241 PA. 
DH Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
Hardman was promoted here today. This is where he spent 2023.
LF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
C J.C. Escarra: 3-for-4, 2 2B (13), HR (3), 4 RBI, 3 RS
Back-to-back 4-RBI efforts for Escarra. Yes, I know he is a 29-year-old non-prospect. I like to highlight strong performances. As for catching, he has never done it before 2024.
RF Elijah Dunham: 3-for-4, 2B (6), HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, SB (10), BB
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-4, RS, K

LHP Brock Selvidge: 5 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, HR
3.25 ERA (63.2 IP, 48 H, 31 R, 23 ER, 4 HR, 32 BB, 66 K). 
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
3.38 ERA (6.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K). Watson is still in “rehab” mode even if he was never on an official rehab assignment.
LHP Ryan Anderson: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
2.66 ERA (23.2 IP, 19 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 28 K). Anderson compiled a 1.01 ERA in 26.2 IP (27/12 K/BB) at this level in 2023. If he continues to perform, someone will give him a shot. This is not a knock on the Yankees.
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (32-27) (Squeaked past Brooklyn, 6-5)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, RS, K
SS Jared Serna: 2-for-4, 2B (19), 2 RBI, K
In his last seven games, Serna has seven doubles. He is hitting .274/.375/.504 in 269 PA (19 doubles, 11 HR, 46 RBI, 43 R, 8-for-14 SB, 13.0% BB, 17.5% K). The presence of Riggio has pushed Serna to shortstop for most of the season. As I like to write about, that increases value. However, most “experts” see him as a second baseman long-term. He should get to Somerset when they start to promote players.
LF Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, RS
Rodriguez increases his hitting streak to 6 (10-for-24). I wouldn’t be able to tell you if you asked me to find his fatal flaw. That said, he must prove this is real in the upper minors. That is how you get noticed for a player who doesn’t appear on many prospect lists.
DH Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, K
.308/.416/.503 in 190 PA. He is 15-for-41 in June with a pair of doubles and three home runs.
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, 2B (7)
RF Christopher Familia: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 2 RS, K
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
CF Nelson Medina: 1-for-3, 3B (1), RS

RHP Sebastian Keane: (W, 5-4) 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
4.85 ERA (52 IP, 51 H, 29 R, 28 ER, 4 HR, 27 BB, 48 K). That may not overwhelm you, but remember that Keane was a reliever in 2023.
RHP Trent Sellers: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
2.60 ERA (17.1 IP, 11 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 26 K)
RHP McKinley Moore: (S, 1) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (23-37) (Lost to Clearwater, 7-3, in a rain-shortened game)

2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 1-for-3, RS, 2 SB (14), K
For Tampa: .330/.383/.398 in 116 PA (14-for-17 SB). 
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, SF, RBI
DH Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, 3 K
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-0, HBP
  PH-3B Hans Montero: 0-for-1, BB, K
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-2, BB, K
RF Willy Montero: 1-for-2, HR (5), RBI, RS, K
Montero has four home runs in his last six games. The 19-year-old hit .331/.389/.436 in 203 plate appearances in the FCL last season. He started slow in 2024 and is still recovering but is up to .229 with a .644 OPS.
1B Coby Morales: 2-for-2, 3B (1), RS
LF Daury Arias: 0-for-2, 2 K
C Oscar Silverio: 1-for-2, 2B (1), RBI
Silverio finally gets to the plate (he played in five games before tonight without receiving a plate appearance, pitching in three of them!)

RHP Gabriel Barbosa: 5 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 3 HR
On the bright side, this goes in the record books as a complete game.

FCL (17-11) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 5-4)

C Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K
3B Abrahan Ramirez: 2-for-4, 2B (5), RS, SB (4), K
CF Brian Sanchez: 0-for-4, K
He is still hitting .348/.451/.609 after today’s effort. Sanchez is a candidate for Low-A when promotions start happening. He turns 20 on the 4th of July.
SS Juan Matheus: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 SB (5), 2 K
.274/.379/.411 in 87 PA. He has started 21 games, 20 at shortstop. That gets my attention. He is 20 years old (won’t be 21 until next April).
LF Joel Mendez: 2-for-4, 2 RS, K
A 21-year-old in his second FCL season should crush this level, and he is.
2B Sebastian Gomez: 2-for-3, 2B (1), CS (3), BB
RF Fidel Montero: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB, K

RHP Bryce Warrecker: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

DSL Yankees (2-6) (Lost to the DSL Twins, 7-2)

LF Gabriel Lara: 2-for-3, 2 RS, 3 SB (3)
Lara is one of the few DSL prospects that has my attention.  Before you ask, this isn’t because I think the level lacks talent. Rather, many players at this level are interchangeable. Lara has a top-tier tool (80-grade speed) to build on.

RHP Michell Chirinos: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
RHP Josue Silvestre: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
The professional debut for the 6’7″ 19-year-old. 

DSL Bombers (4-3) (Defeated the Phillies Red, 12-7 (12 runs, 5 hits (all singles), 9 walks, 5 HBP. I “love” the DSL….)

CF Francisco Vilorio: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 RS, 4 SB (4), BB, K
Besides Lara, Vilorio has my attention because he is a bonus baby. The 17-year-old is 7-f0r-21.
SS Christofer Reyes: 1-for-3, 2 RS, SB (4), 2 RS, HBP
RF Richard Meran: 1-for-2, RBI, 2 RS, 2 HBP
3B Andry Javier: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, RS, BB

LHP Jose Ledesma (W, 1-0): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Ledesma’s first professional win – congrats!

Yankees MILB 5/29: Jared Serna’s Big Night

News:

IF Kevin Smith cleared waivers. Unlike the last time, he could have declined an outright assignment but didn’t do so. He will return to Scranton.

Scranton (33-20) (Avenged last night’s 10-0 loss by crushing Toledo, 11-2)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
Vivas started 1-for-14 on his second rehab stint. He is 8-for-20 since.
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-2, 3 RS, 3 BB, K
If both are still around, Vivas/Peraza could be a part of a battle for the second base job in 2025. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-5, HR (3), RBI, RS, CS (2), K
Rumfield’s first extra-base hit since May 7th.
DH Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, HR (10), 2 RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
Rojas’ 7th HR in May. In 2023, it would have earned him a promotion to the full-time MLB LF job.
C Luis Torrens: 1-for-5, HR (5), 3 RBI, RS
LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-5, K
3B Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB
CF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-3, 2 RS, SB (18), BB
.262/.392/.350 in 125 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 15 RBI, 20 R, 18-for-20 SB). Lockridge is 119-for-142 stealing bases in his 461-game minor league career.

LHP Tanner Tully (W, 1-3): 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Ron Marinaccio: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
0.75 ERA (12 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 11 K)
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Phil Bickford: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.54 ERA (20.1 IP, 19 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 27 K). 

Somerset (23-24) (Walked it off against Bowie, 2-1)

DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
His RBI single in the bottom of the 9th won the game, and he needed that! This extends his on-base streak to 12, though as I said yesterday, the numbers aren’t eye-popping during this stretch.
CF Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-2
Dominguez’s first game in the field this season.
   PH-CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-2, K
The Yankees rarely, if ever, allow a rehabbing player to play a full nine innings the first time they play in the field.
1B Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-4, 2B (8)
While he hasn’t homered in a while, he is hitting .300/.389/.525 during May. There wasn’t a way he was maintaining the “9 HR a month” thing he did in April. As his HR rate has dropped, his BABIP has normalized and I think we are seeing a clearer picture of who Ramirez can be.
C Ben Rice: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
For those who clamor for Rice to play first base, let me ask you this: Anthony Rizzo has been an issue. We don’t know if he will ever be good again. Neither do the Yankees. Yet, the organization continues to put Rice behind the plate rather than giving him extensive reps at first base (14 starts this season). In my world, this tells me that Rice is not seen as a replacement at first base, even as I declared last night that he can be a 2025 option.  Catching increases trade value, but MLB crisis >>> trade value. Do they think a crisis doesn’t exist? Or, is it that Rice wouldn’t solve the crisis?  At the very least, I think it is fair to ask.
3B J.C. Escarra: 1-for-3, BB
2B-SS Jordan Groshans: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-2, RS, CS (2), 2 BB
LF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-2, RBI, SB (9), 2 BB
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3
  2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-1, K

RHP Zach Messinger: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K
Messinger sets a new best for strikeouts in a game. Season: 3.56 ERA (55.2 IP, 45 H, 30 R, 22 ER, 4 HR, 18 BB, 66 K). BB/9, by year: 2022: 4.84; 2023: 4.80; 2024: 2.91.  He compiled a 1.95 ERA in 27.2 IP with a 36/8 K/BB during May.
RHP Colby White: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Since promotion: 0.79 ERA (11.1 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 12 K). Pestana has been with the organization since 2018, but injuries have limited him to 140.2 innings. The Yankees likely threw him into the bullpen in 2024 as a “last ditch” effort and it has worked so far. He will be 26 in July.
RHP Kevin Stevens (W, 3-0): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (22-22) (Defeated Aberdeen, 9-3)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, 2 RS, BB, K
SS Jared Serna: 2-for-4, 2 HR (9), 7 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Serna hit a grand slam and a 3-run blast. He ties his best for RBI in a game (set last July) and has 7 HR in May (five of them in two games). Overall, he is hitting .241 with a .831 OPS in 202 PA (11 doubles, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 32 R, 14.9% BB, 17.8% K)
CF Jace Avina: 1-for-4, BB, K
C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, BB
Rodriguez is hitting .329 with a .913 OPS. In his last three games, he is 8-for-12 with 3 doubles and a pair of walks.  He has 66 games played at this level over the past two seasons, hitting .339. He does all this while playing anywhere they ask him to play. 
DH Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan: 2-for-4, 2 RS, K
Last 10 games: 11-for-35 (.314) with seven walks.
LF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, RS, BB, K
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-2, 2 RS, HBP, BB
RF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, K

RHP Baron Stuart: (W, 3-1) 5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Stuart was returned here from Scranton, where he tossed a 7-inning complete game in an emergency start.
RHP Huey Morrill: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.08 ERA (30.1 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 37 K)

Tampa (18-29) (Lost two games to Palm Beach)

Game 1 (Lost, 8-7, in 11 innings. This was the conclusion of yesterday’s suspended game)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-6
Well, this improves the K%. #Positivity.
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-6, RS, SB (12), 5 K
This certainly does not improve the K%. #Reality.
1B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-5, 2B (15), RBI, RS, 2 K
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3, RS
  LF Daury Arias: 1-for-2, 2B (4), RBI
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, 2 RS, BB, K
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-5, 4 K
RF Coby Morales: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, RS, K
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-2, K
  C Edinson Duran: 1-for-3, 2B (3)
DH Tomas Frick: 3-for-4, RBI
  PR-DH Brenny Escanio: 0-for-1, RS

RHP Luis Serna: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
4.75 ERA (36 IP, 28 H, 19 R, 19 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 42 K). May: 24.2 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 26 K. Serna has allowed 3 home runs in 136.2 career innings. 
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Cade Austin: 3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.31 ERA (32.2 IP, 25 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 5 HR, 7 BB, 37 K). The HR rate is high, but this is a solid debut season. 
RHP Montana Semmel: 1.2, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Kris Bow (L, 1-1):  0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Game 2 (Lost, 5-0, in a 7-inning game)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, 2 K
Ouch. These two games didn’t go Arias’ way. He is hitting .200/.314/.320 in 207 PA (13.5% BB, 35.7% K)
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, 2 K
2B Hans Montero: 0-for-3, K
.260/.341/.425 in 82 PA.
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-3, 2 K
.184/.251/.241 in 175 PA
RF Coby Morales: 1-for-3
25-for-81 (.309/.406/.383) with 16 RBI in May.
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-3
.316/.409/.434 in 88 PA (6 doubles, 1 HR, 11 RBI).  Frick isn’t an everyday presence, but he has hit well.
3B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-2, K
DH Edinson Duran: 0-for-2, K
LF Daury Arias: 0-for-1, CS (1), BB, K

RHP Cade Smith: (L, 2-3)  4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
He generated 14 whiffs with his slider. Season: 3.02 ERA (41.2 IP, 29 H, 19 R, 14 ER, 1 HR, 20 BB, 51 K). So far, his debut season is nothing to complain about.
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.61 ERA (22.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 HR, 12 BB, 24 K)

FCL (11-7)

Scheduled day off. This is a weird league.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/23: George Lombard’s 4-Hit Night

News:

OF Jasson Dominguez didn’t play in either game of today’s doubleheader for Somerset. He just played back-to-back games for the first time, so it is possible that this was planned.  They are not going to rush this rehab.

Scranton (31-17) (Split a doubleheader with Syracuse)

Game 1 (Won, 3-2, on a walk-off single)

2B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4, 2B (17)
3B Oswald Peraza: 0-for-2, 2 BB
With DJ LeMahieu healthy and Gleyber Torres likely going nowhere, the path to MLB (in 2024) is hard to find. I assume the Yankees are open to trading him, especially if they have confidence in someone like Durbin. Another option certainly would be to throw him in the 2025 second base competition.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, RBI
Rumfield had the game-winning single.
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-2, HR (3), RBI, RS, BB
LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-3, 2 K
  PR-LF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-0, RS
C Luis Torrens: 1-for-2, SB (1), BB
DH Jose Rojas: 1-for-2, RBI, BB
SS Kevin Smith: 0-for-3, K
CF Greg Allen: 0-for-2, RS, BB

RHP Baron Stuart (W, 1-0):  7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Called up from Hudson Valley specifically to make this start, Stuart tosses a 7-inning complete game. He probably will head back to Hudson Valley (where he compiled a 4.13 ERA in 24 IP with a 16/11 K/BB), but this was an impressive effort in a series that was dominated by offense before today.

Game 2 (Lost, 4-2)

3B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-0, RS, HBP
Durbin stayed in the game long enough to score after being HBP but left the game soon after that. Hopefully, it is precautionary.
  3B Kevin Smith: 0-for-2
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, K
Rumfield is hitting .300/.353/.417 since his promotion with 24 RBI in 31 games.
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-3, K
LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-2, RBI, CS (2), K
  LF Greg Allen: 0-for-1, K
DH Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-3, SB (2)
Gonzalez now owns a 7-game hitting streak.
RF Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, 2 K
SS Jeter Downs: 0-for-3, 3 K
2B Josh VanMeter: 1-for-1, RS, BB
CF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-2

LHP Tanner Tully: (L, 0-3) 4.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 HR
RHP Ron Marinaccio: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
1.23 ERA (22 IP, 16 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 25 K). I am not sure if the Yankees are the organization that will give him a chance, but he is doing the best he can to get everyone to notice.

Somerset (20-22) (Lost a doubleheader to New Hampshire)

Game 1 (Lost, 5-4, in 9 (extra) innings)

SS Ben Cowles: 0-for-4, RS, K
1B Agustin Ramirez: 2-for-4, RBI, SB (10)
Ramirez has already reached double digits in HR and SB.  He is hitting .272/.394/.574.
C Ben Rice: 1-for-3, HR (11), RBI, RS, BB, K
Rice has three home runs in his last two games.
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-4, K
3B Jordan Groshans: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K
DH J.C. Escarra: 1-for-3, RS, K
CF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, HR (3), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-4, K
LF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-4, K

RHP Zach Messinger: 5.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
3.75 ERA (50.1 IP, 39 H, 29 R, 21 ER, 4 HR, 16 BB, 56 K).  After allowing 1.24 HR/9 in 2023, he has it down to 0.72/9 in 2024. He has also maintained a strong K rate while reducing his walks from 4.80/9 in 2023 to 2.86/9 in 2024. We may just be witnessing a maturing starting pitcher.
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 3 K
This is what you call a noisy line.
LHP Ryan Anderson (L, 1-3): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Game 2 (Lost, 9-0)

DH Spencer Jones: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K
.220/.302/.325 in 139 PA. Cue the complainers who say the Yankees should have traded him “when his value was high!” Some people should not follow minor league baseball if they are unwilling to understand player development. Jones didn’t forget how to play overnight – give him time to find his groove (for the record, I am not against trading most any prospect – but I don’t base that on random hot or cold minor league streaks)
1B Ben Rice: 1-for-4, K
Rice is at .247/.373/.507. Before his current hot streak (four games), he was hitting .233/.356/.444. It gets harder to improve your triple slash significantly with one little hot streak as you get later into the season, but Rice has done that lately.
SS Ben Cowles: 2-for-3
He is at .324 with a .926 OPS. This is his 13th multi-hit game of the season. If the Yankees don’t go outside the organization to fill the probable 2B vacancy, put Cowles on the list of potential candidates.
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-3, K
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, K
RF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-2, SB (4), BB
3B Jordan Groshans: 0-for-2, BB
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-2, BB
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, K

LHP Josh Maciejewski: (L, 0-2) 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 8.1 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Aaron Palensky: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Somerset ran out of pitchers, so Palensky had to eat four outs.

Hudson Valley (20-19) (Destroyed Brooklyn, 16-3)

3B DJ LeMahieu: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RS
He is on track to join the team in Anaheim.
   PH-3B Beau Brewer: 0-for-2, K
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-5, 2 RS, BB, K
Serna extends his on-base streak to 21.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 5-for-5, 2B (1), 5 RBI, 3 RS, BB
Vivas, someone to watch in the 2025 second base competition, was 2-for-21 on his rehab assignment entering tonight. He ties his best for RBI in a game, but not hits. He had a 6-hit game on 6/8/21 when he was a member of the Dodgers organization.
DH Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, 2 BB
.310/.388/.490 in 165 PA. It feels like he is on a 5,000-game hitting streak, but this effort increased it to five.
CF Jace Avina: 3-for-5, 2B (13), 3 RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
Avina is at .310 with a .933 OPS in 132 PA (13 doubles, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 19 R, 4-for-4 SB). His K% is high (28.0) but is down from his 29.6% rate in Low-A last year. The ceiling is tantalizing.
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, 2B (6), HR (5), SF, 5 RBI, 2 RS
Don’t forget about Martinez, who is a legitimate catching prospect. He is on an 8-game hitting streak (10-for-28, 4 doubles, 1 HR, 6 RBI) and is up to .250 with a .849 OPS (19.7% BB, 21.8% K)
1B Kiko Romero: 1-for-5, 2B (4), RS, 2 K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 3-for-5, 2B (6), RBI, RS
Gabrielson’s second career 3-hit game. 
LF Kyle Battle: 1-for-4, 3 RS, SB (5), BB
I like seeing this from prospects like Battle…

RHP Sebastian Keane: (W, 3-3)  5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HR
5.11 ERA (37 IP, 38 H, 21 R, 21 ER, 3 HR, 18 BB, 35 K). This is the first time in his short career that he has allowed multiple HR in a game (he has allowed 4 in 68.2 innings). He is a legit prospect to place somewhere in your brain as he develops.
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
Since returning from his rehab: 9.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 15 K. Add him to the mile-long list of relief prospects. 

Tampa (15-27) (Defeated Jupiter, 8-1)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 4-for-5, 3 RBI
This raises his triple slash from .193/.366/.239 to .226/.385/.269. This is his second career 4-hit effort (did it on 9/3/23, after being promoted to this level). The power hasn’t shown up yet, but remember that Anthony Volpe had 3 HR and .355 SLG in 150 PA for Pulaski in 2019.  Lombard is at 117 career plate appearances.
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-5, K
.214/.337/.351 in 184 PA. 
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-5, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
RF Willy Montero: 1-for-5, HR (1), RBI, RS, K
Power has yet to be a part of Montero’s game (7th career HR in 153 games). He hasn’t hit for average this year (got off to a miserable start), but has played better in May.
DH Coby Morales: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, SB (8), BB, 2 K
.250/.370/.299 in 173 PA. He is 21-for-67 in May (.313/.413/.403). 
3B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-4, RS, K
C Edinson Duran: 2-for-3, 2 3B (3), 2 RS, BB
Oh to be a young catcher capable of legging out two triples. He has 8 triples in 110 career games. 
LF Daury Arias: 1-for-4, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K

RHP Cade Smith: (W, 2-2)  7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
2.41 ERA (37.1 IP, 23 H, 14 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 18 BB, 46 K). He maxed out at 95.6 MPH (averaged 93.3). This is an impressive first professional season. At 22 years old, he is a candidate for a Hudson Valley promotion this season.
RHP Jordy Luciano: 2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

FCL (8-6) (Defeated the Tigers, 5-4, thanks to a 3-run bottom of the 8th (after the Tigers scored two in the top of the 8th. This was a scheduled 7-inning game, so the 8th inning was extra innings. Got it? Good.)

CF Brando Mayea: 2-for-4, K
3-for-8 with a pair of walks and strikeouts.
C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-4
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-3, 2 RS, HBP, K
LF Brian Sanchez: 3-for-4, 2 2B (6), RBI, 2 RS
Sanchez has shown off his doubles/triples power in his brief minor league career (13 doubles, 5 triples in 44 games). He has five multi-hit games in 11 games this season.
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, RS, CS (4), BB
3B Abrahan Ramirez: 1-for-2, RBI, SB (3), 2 BB, K
1B Diomedes Hernandez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K
Hernandez walked it off with an RBI single. The 19-year-old is listed as a catcher, though he has yet to get behind the dish in 2024 (only 7 games played).
2B Gabriel Terrero: 0-for-1, 2 BB
RF Fidel Montero: 1-for-3, CS (1), K

RHP Angel Benitez: 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
2.16 ERA (8.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 9 K). He stands 6’7″ and likely has some of the command/control issues that come with that. He has time to work on that.
RHP Sabier Marte: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 3 K
0.68 ERA (13.1 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 11 BB, 12 K)
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz (W, 2-0): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

My Take: Yankees Complete Trade with Dodgers

The trade:

The Yankees acquired LHP Victor Gonzalez and IF Jorbit Vivas from the Dodgers for IF Trey Sweeney

The suspense is over. After 24 hours of speculating over who was involved in this trade, we received an official announcement today. While relatively minor, it isn’t a throwaway deal.

The Dodgers needed roster space. The Yankees had roster space to spare. Mix those and you have the ingredients for a trade.

With Wandy Peralta on the free agent market, the Yankees needed left-handed relief help. Gonzalez, who won’t be a free agent until after the 2026 campaign, owns a 3.22 ERA (3.35 FIP) over 89.1 career innings with a 23.2% K, 8.4% BB, and 58.1% GB. In almost three seasons with the Yankees, Peralta pitched to a 2.82 ERA (4.06 FIP) over 153 innings with a 21% K, 10.3% BB and 56.5% BB. As you may suspect, Gonzalez is a sinker-heavy pitcher (63.7% usage). While Peralta has a sinker in his profile, his most used pitch is a changeup.

Also important: The Yankees will save money if they replace Peralta with Gonzalez. Gonzalez is projected to make around $1 million while Peralta earned just over $3 million in 2023. It is possible that the Yankees still have interest in Peralta, but do they need two ground ball heavy left-handed relievers?

The prospect swap is intriguing.

Sweeney, a shortstop who was chosen in the first round of the 2021 draft out of Eastern Illinois, is coming off a season where he hit .252//367/.411 (118 wRC+) in Double-A Somerset with 13 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Impressively, he compiled a strikeout rate below 20% (19.1) while walking at a 13.8% clip. There have been questions in the past about whether he can stick at shortstop or move to another defensive position. If third base is his ultimate destination, the offensive bar goes up. Just like with the Yankees, it is hard to crack the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. Sweeney is Rule 5 eligible after the 2024 season, so this may not be his final destination over the next several months.

Vivas, a left-handed bat who signed for $300,000 back in 2017,  has started 318 games at second base and 112 games at third base in his minor league career. From his Pipeline profile, his MLB position would likely be second base. In 2023, he was solid at Double-A Tulsa (.280/.391/.436 (123 wRC+) in 109 games) before struggling upon his promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City (.226/.339/.294 (63 wRC+) in 26 games). He will start 2024 in Scranton, with an opportunity to make it to MLB at some point during the season. Can he rise to the point where he can be a replacement for Gleyber Torres in 2025? Maybe. A lot can happen between now and then. As this is his final option year, he will need to prove that he is worthy of a 26-man roster slot in 2025 and beyond before we even dream of him becoming an everyday player.

Bottom Line:

The Yankees had the leverage, as the Dodgers needed space. They used that leverage to extract an intriguing reliever while swapping out a 2024 Rule 5 eligible infielder for a 40-man roster infielder with one option remaining. I must wonder if the Dodgers asked for a pitcher but the Yankees were able to get them off that ask. From that perspective, it is a win for the Yankees. However, the Dodgers accomplished their goal as well.

While it is expected that your first-round picks will eventually gain value, we can still say that this is a win for player development.

The Yankees have been busy this winter. They are improving the team at the margins (Alex Verdugo, Trent Grisham, Gonzalez) while adding the superstar outfielder (Juan Soto). There is still work to be done, especially with the rotation.

If you are a Yankees fan, you have to be excited about the direction they are taking for 2024.